AGRICULTURE

The mass sowing in agriculture is complete in Azerbaijan. Unfavorable weather conditions in Azerbaijan in March-April considerably impeded the conduct of sowing on schedule, which decreased the agriculture plantings as compared to 2005. According to the State Statistics Committee, as of 1 June the area sown under cotton dropped 14,700h, or 13.2%, potato - 3,700h, or 5.2%, tobacco - 947h, or 34.2%.

Besides, the current productivity ratio on some products also increases, or instance, harvesting of potato made up 61,900 tons, or 6% (3,500 tons) more than 2005. In June 2006 collection of potato was carried out in the area with the square of 4,482h (6.7% of total field area). Following the commissioning of the plant for refinery sugar beet in Imishli district the interests in beets rose considerably. Thus, the area sown under this culture was expanded increased 2.6 times and comprised 7,000h.

At the same time the collection of vegetables in his period made up 68,000 tons, 12.9% down as compared to last year. The harvesting was carried out in the area with the square of 7,659h, 10% of the total area. The major reason decreasing production of vegetables was mainly linked with late collection of tomatoes in Agdash and Yevlakh Districts of Azerbaijan. the fruit collection in this period comprised 4,800 tons, or 0.8% less than 2005.

The key objective of development of agriculture in Azerbaijan was the increase of the prediction of grains, the Agriculture Ministry urges. The grains harvesting started in Azerbaijan. As of 1 June the volume of harvesting made up 7,500 tons from 3,800h. The productivity comprises 19.8 metric tones per h.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, grains production in Azerbaijan in 2006 is forecasted in the volume of 2,200,000 tons, including 1,600,000 tons of production grains. The grains import is planned in the volume not lower than 500,000 tons. At present demand for grains in Azerbaijan makes up 3, 400,000 tons.

Following the development of cattle-breeding, as well as with respect to increase of efficiency of the use of existing biennials and perennials rose 17.1% and 23.1% respectively and comprised 7,800 and 48,200.

Over the first 5 months the meat, milk and eggs production rose. Production of meat constituted 103,300 tons, up 1.8% as compared to 2005, milk - 528,700 tons, or 4.1%, while eggs 337.2 million. 10.7% down in connection with the bird flu.

In this period the agriculture production made up 340.3m manats in current prices, or 1.8% less than 2005. the planting production dropped 0.3%, while cattle breeding 2%.

Production of cattle-breeding (in ths tons)

In his period the cost of production forestry enterprises made up 231,000 manats. The output by fishing enterprises amounted to 37,200 manats, hinting 2,000 manats.